You can't keep a good man down... form is temporary class is permanent... the cream will always rise to the top... when the going gets tough, the tough get going... erm, oh yeah, and Michael Owen scores the goals hallelujah.
After what happened at St Mary's on Sunday, poor old Portsmouth must have known what was going to happen. When Owen is being written off, he always comes bouncing back. Always.
By his own standards, Michael hasn't been having the best of times lately. By almost anyone else's, he's doing ok, still averaging almost a goal every two games.
But he hasn't been himself, anyone with eyes can see that. His indifferent form, coupled with the uncertainty over his contract situation has inevitably led to all kinds of speculation and rumour.
After every missed chance his body language comes under intense scrutiny. "He's left already, you can see it in his body language" Or "he doesn't look happy, he's not going to stay" It's understandable of course, and until his contract is signed it's something which Michael will have to put up with.
For what its worth, my view is that he will stay, but equally I don't doubt for a minute that all is not well. He can't possibly be happy with the state the club is in, and it has to be on his mind that he deserves to be playing in a team which is regularly competing for the title.
The press have regularly said that Owen will be off if we don't get in the Champions League, and that is a stick which is often used to beat Michael with. Only thing is, he has never actually said that.
His critics argue that if we don't get in the champions league, he is as responsible as anyone due to the amount of chances he's missed. I'd argue that if we are to have any hope of getting in there, it will be his goals which get us there.
He's clearly been suffering from a lack of confidence, hence his poor body language, but I don't go along with the theory that he's not been trying because his mind is already looking to foreign shores for next season.
I do think he's become very frustrated with the style of play, the poor performances, the sorry excuses and the general malaise that seems to have set in at the club. I also think that the weight of having to carry the goalscoring burden for so long with so little support may have taken a toll.
When Michael goes a few games without scoring its a big deal, largely because if he isn't scoring, usually no-one else is either. Other strikers at top clubs are allowed a few barren games, because there's always someone else who will chip in. Michael Owen doesn't have that luxury.
The only thing I can be critical of Michael for is the penalty issue. I said two years ago he should not be allowed near a penalty again, yet he was allowed to continue to take them with dire consequences.
As much as I blame Houllier for allowing it continue, Michael is equally at fault as he should have said enough is enough a long time ago and let someone else take over.
Even now, after Southampton, Houllier still refused to take the responsibility away from him, although thankfully Michael himself is understood to have agreed to let Murphy or Gerrard take over unless we are a few goals up and there's no pressure.
Houllier had said after the Southampton defeat that Owen would be the first name on his teamsheet for the Portsmouth game. Not really much a surprise, but the boss certainly did spring a couple of shocks when he named his team.
Out went Milan Baros, presumably rested after his impressive excertions since returning from injury, and joining him on the bench was Stephane Henchoz.
That meant Igor Biscan kept his place at the heart of the defence with Riise returnng at left back, and the much maligned H*skey partnering Owen in attack.
Thankfully H*skey was actually in attack, and not in the holding midfield role he occupied the last time Pompey visited Anfield. I thought he had one of his better games to be fair.
He didn't pull up any trees, but he did look interested and despite a couple of trademark spells on the turf followed by the customary limp and hangdog expression, the physio didn't have to come on to treat him.
Biscan also had a good game, justifying his managers faith in him with a solid display, coupled with some nice distribution and forays forward. Biscan has his faults, mainly the uncanny ability to make one glaring error per game, but he does give the team another dimension carrying the ball forward from the back.
He was lucky not to concede a first half penalty when he had both arms around Todorov's waist as a cross came over, and that's something he needs to cut out because there are a number of referees who would have punished that.
But equally the reds should have had a penalty of their own when Smertin tripped Gerrard early on. The referee was clearly not in a penalty giving mood though, and waved play on much to Gerrard's disgust.
The failure to award the spot kick would no doubt have given Houllier all the excuse he needed should this result have gone askew, but thankfully we were spared that, as Hamann opened the scoring and then Owen killed them off with his double.
Hamann's goal was stunning, and is the best I've seen at Anfield in a long time. Owen was the provider, scurrying out wide to collect a loose ball, before looking up and seeing Hamann making his way forward.
The ball was perfect, the volley was breathtaking. Didi has scored some great goals in hsi time, but surely this was the best?
Owen then made it two after getting on the end of a cross from Carragher, chesting the ball into space and then finishing low into the corner. A trademark finish from a player who's confidence was visibly coming back.
Riise also went close with a great effort from a tight angle after tricking his way down the right wing. Gotta love the way he can pop up all over the place even when he's playing left back!
Portsmouth had some good possession in dangerous areas, but apart from one opening for Todorovc which he took too long over, allowing Biscan to get back and recover, they created nothing in the opening half.
Whatever Harry Redknapp said at half time though seemed to do the trick, as they came out for the second half all guns blazing, whilst Liverpool took a while to get going.
Stefanovic rattled the bar with a free-kick, and there were several other anxious moments for the reds,, before eventually they managed to regain control of the game.
Murphy was denied by a full stretch save from Hislop, but from the resulting corner Owen added the third with an unmarked header from close range.
Murphy crashed a shot against the post after being played in by Owen, and then H*skey was also denied by the woodwork after an excellent glancing header.
The scoreline was a fair result, and gets the reds back on track in the battle for fourth spot. A repeat performance against Wolves this weekend is essential, as given some of the difficult away games left to play, its essential that no more silly points are lost to the bottom teams.
Star man was Owen, although Carragher wasn't far behind and Hamann was also excellent.
Team: Jerzy Dudek; Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Igor Biscan, John Arne Riise; Danny Murphy, Didi Hamann, Steven Gerrard (Bruno Cheyrou), Harry Kewell (El Hadji Diouf); E*ile H*skey, Michael Owen:
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